Have you ever come out of a grocery store with what seems like a million bags only to get to your car and then fumble around with your car keys, trying to get the door unlocked? We’ve all done it at some point, and if we haven’t then we’ve definitely been with somebody who’s done it. That’s the bad news. The good news is that the days of borrowing the “keys” to the car are over….well, sort of.

Over the past ten years or so, the traditional “car key” has evolved into the new and improved “key fob,” which is a small device containing a computer chip. But like computers, key fobs are rapidly changing and improving. For instance, the first key fobs used in vehicles simply unlocked and locked doors as well as turned off your car alarm (in the event that you accidentally set it off). However, key fobs today do much more. Some can give you the tire pressure readings for your vehicle while others can tell you how much gas you have left in your car!

How are these key fobs being used?

A few automobile dealers such as Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Volvo, Nissan and Toyota have adopted key fobs, and if that wasn’t enough, they’re revolutionizing the way in which they are used. For example, when you use a key fob, obviously you’re not using a key, which makes you wonder, “Well, then how do I start my car?” The answer to that is: with the push of a button….literally. Most vehicles that are equipped with key fob ignition have a button where the ignition should be that reads “start/stop” or something of that nature. As soon as you are in your vehicle, all you have to do is push the button and the car will start. Some vehicles take it a step further, making you press the brake pedal once before you can push the button to start the car. This is just one of many safety features offered in some vehicles.

Additionally, some key fobs act as miniature memory cards to store information about your vehicle. So, let’s say that you have your seat, mirrors and radio station (including volume) set a certain way. Now let’s pretend that you’ve let your son or daughter drive your vehicle, and they’ve changed all the settings you had in the car without changing them back. Don’t worry about it, some dealers offer key fobs with something called “driver memory”. These types of fobs will automatically restore all of your original settings. Pretty neat, huh?

Necessity vs. Convenience

In this day and age that we’re living in, convenience seems to be everything. We work hard; therefore, we deserve some time to relax. So, why make things more difficult? While key fobs are not necessarily needed, they certainly make life that much easier. There are some people who would benefit from having vehicles with key fob technology. For instance, those suffering from arthritis might find it easier to be able to just get into their car without having to “grip” a key or set of keys. Also, it would be a lot easier to simply push a button versus fumbling around with a key to start your car, especially if you’re in a hurry!

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